South Norfolk

South Norfolk's population expanded in the 10 years leading up to 2011. Data from the census show there were changes in health and religion.

The population passed 120,000

In the 10 years leading up to 2011, the population of South Norfolk increased by 12%, from just under 111,000 to 124,000.

The addition of about 13,000 people means this area's population increased faster than the rate of growth across England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, South Norfolk was home to, on average, 0.98 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was lower than the average across Eastof England

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across Eastof England, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

Health improved

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's well-being.

The percentage of South Norfolk residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 7.6% in 2001 to 4.5% in 2011.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just over 8 in 10 (82%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 69% in 2001. The percentage of South Norfolk residents that described their health as fair decreased from 23% to 13%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 7.6% in 2001 to 4.7% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in South Norfolk decreased by 3.2 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in South Norfolk, Eastof England and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

Religion in South Norfolk

The number of people in South Norfolk that described themselves as having no religion increased from just over 17,000 in 2001 to about 36,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 15% to 29% of the local population.

The percentage increased by more than the average across Eastof England (from 17% to 28%) and the average across England (from 15% to 25%).

The number of people in South Norfolk that described themselves as Christian decreased from just under 84,000 in 2001 to about 77,000 in 2011 (from 76% to 62%). The number of people who did not disclose their religious affiliation increased from about 8,800 to just over 9,500. However, as a percentage of the total population, this represented a decrease from 8.0% to 7.7%.

Just over 490 people (0.3%) said they identified with a religion other than Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism or Sikhism, up from about 280 in 2001 (0.4%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between religious groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population without a religion in South Norfolk increased by 13 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and South Norfolk by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

Housing in South Norfolk

The percentage of households that owner their home fell in South Norfolk, but at a slower rate than across England.

In South Norfolk, the proportion of home ownership decreased from 78% in 2001 to 75% in 2011. During the same period, the proportion across England decreased from 68% to 63%.

Across Eastof England, the share of households that owner their home decreased from 72% to 68%.

Private renting in South Norfolk increased from 7.6% to 11%, while the rate of social housing remained close to 11%.

The rate of home ownership was higher than across Eastof England

Percentage of households that that owner their home across local authority areas in Eastof England and the average across England, March 2011

More people cohabiting

The percentage of households in South Norfolk, which comprised a cohabiting couple, increased from 8.2% to 11% between the last two censuses.

The proportion that had only a single person remained close to 26%, while the percentage of households in South Norfolk, which comprised a married couple (with or without children), decreased from 43% to 39%.

The proportion of households with an unmarried couple increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 8.8% in 2001 to 10% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 8.3% to 9.9%.

The percentage of households with a cohabiting couple in South Norfolk increased by 2.4 percentage points

Percentage of households in South Norfolk, Eastof England and England that had an unmarried couple, March 2001 and March 2011

Ethnicity in South Norfolk

The number of people in South Norfolk from the White ethnic groups increased from about 110,000 in 2001 to just over 120,000 in 2011. However, as a percentage of the total population, this represented a decrease from 99% to 98%.

The percentage decreased by less than the average across Eastof England (from 95% to 90%) and the average across England (from 91% to 85%).

The number of people in South Norfolk from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from just under 480 in 2001 to just under 1,300 in 2011 (from 0.4% to 1.0%). The number of residents from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed) increased from just under 500 to about 1,200 (from 0.5% to 1.0%).

About 380 people (0.1%) said they were from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups, up from about 110 in 2001 (0.3%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the ethnic profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between ethnic groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population from the White ethnic groups in South Norfolk decreased by 1.3 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and South Norfolk by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

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Area report data

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